Did you know that there are over 60 types of rodent in Australia? While it’s true that the vast majority of them aren’t regarded as pests, some can cause untold damage to your property, especially when it comes to your electrics. Species such as rats, mice, and possums love to chew and when they do, they can wreak havoc with your wiring when they take up residence in your home. With this in mind, just how do you prevent electrical damage from rodents?
Know the signs of rodent damage
The key to maintaining a ‘critter free’ zone is to keep a close eye on the signs. Rodents aren’t normally shy about the fact that they’re living rent-free in your home. Because of this, there are many tell-tale signs. Possums for example love to live in roof spaces so keep an eye out for scratch marks, hair, or a strong smell of urine. Rats and mice will leave telltale signs of droppings and nesting material. You may also hear signs of telltale scurrying. If you have reason to believe that you have some unwelcome furry dwellers in your home then the first thing to do is to inspect your wiring for any signs of damage. If all is okay, then call in the experts who will remove them.
Inspect wiring periodically to prevent electrical damage from rodents
In order to be sure it’s far better to periodically inspect your wiring (electrical safety inspection) rather than having to deal with the consequences after infestation. Closely check any insulation, say once a month, and make sure that there are no signs of chewing. Unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to check the wiring hidden in recesses behind walls, but if you are having building work done, it’s worth giving it a thorough once over at that point.
Preventative electrical maintenance against rodents
The best way to prevent rodents from chewing your wiring is to ensure they can’t enter in the first place. Inspect your home for any cracks or holes where rodents could climb into and seal them up with caulk, foam spray, or any other preventative measures you have to hand. Talk to your local hardware store who should be able to recommend the best product for the job. Finally, keep a close watch because rodents can be persistent. They have the ability to squeeze through the tiniest of cracks and will even chew their way through if necessary. Finally, if you haven’t already got one, get a cat. Aside from making a loving pet, cats will usually discourage rodents from setting up camp in your home in the first place and even if they do get in, cats are great hunters. Usually, if a rodent knows that a cat is present, they’ll up sticks and move on some place else.
So there you have it – ways to prevent electrical damage from rodents. If however, you do suspect that your cabling has been chewed then call in the electrical experts who can repair or replace it if necessary. Remember faulty wiring is dangerous so whatever you decide to do, don’t ignore it.
If you need further advice or would like a trained electrician to come out and inspect your cabling call Static Electrics on07 3497 5076 today.
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